Pharmacogenomics for infectious diseases in sub-Saharan Africa : successes and opportunities

Abstract

The rate of mortality in developing countries due to communicable disease remains alarmingly high. The leading contributors to disease burden in these regions are the so-called “big three”, namely HIV/ AIDS, TB, and malaria. The global prevalence of these diseases is over 250 million, and it should be noted that 71%, 28% and 88% of these cases, respectively, occur in sub-Saharan Africa alone (World Health Organization). African countries are continuously struggling to contain infectious diseases, and there is a need for governments to commit resources not only for treatment, but also towards research and development aimed at innovative approaches.